Nearly three years ago, Suffolk County added another 45 acres to its permanently protected farmland portfolio, closing on development rights from the Meyer Family in Calverton. The Meyer farm, a fifth-generation operation in business for nearly 100 years, joined the County’s Farmland Development Rights (PDR) program — ensuring the land will remain dedicated exclusively to agriculture.
Established in 1974, Suffolk County’s PDR program is the oldest purchase of development rights program in the nation and continues to serve as a national model. Through the program, farmers retain ownership of their land while selling the development rights to the County, permanently restricting the property to farming use.
Since its inception, the County has protected approximately 11,000 acres of farmland, with more than 20,000 acres preserved countywide through combined County, Town, and nonprofit efforts. The program safeguards high-quality soils, preserves scenic vistas, and helps maintain agriculture as a cornerstone of Suffolk’s economy and identity.
As development pressures continue across Long Island, initiatives like the PDR program play a vital role in ensuring that farming remains part of Suffolk County’s landscape for generations to come.
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